Visiting Milan: 23 things to do and see
Milan it is undoubtedly an Italian city that has a lot to offer its tourists. Visiting it, you will soon realize the large number of extraordinary works and monuments that will leave you totally speechless. If you're wondering What to see in Milan this is the right guide for you: we will tell you about it points of interest in Milan not to be missed.
What to visit in Milan: places of interest
To make your stay well organised, we have thought of a guide who can advise you on what to visit in Milan. This way you will be able to see the most significant things with just a few days available. In fact, before moving on to the complete list, we want to help you understand what to see in Milan in one day or over several days if you have more time available (it's worth it). We advise you to visit the museums and palaces where you can also find the major ones exhibitions in Milan
1 The Duomo of Milan
The Gothic cathedral (Milan Cathedral) is the symbol of the city, with its hundreds of spiers and external statues, including the famous Madonna. It is the fourth largest church in the world and has a seating capacity of 40.000. Arriving at the top of the Duomo, by lift or stairs, you can admire the city of Milan from above. Don't miss a visit to Cathedral Museum.
2 Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
La Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is located next to the Duomo. It is often referred to as "the drawing room of Milan" and is one of the commercial places par excellence of the Lombard city. Its mosaic floor makes it truly unique. In the gallery you will find cafes, starred restaurants and many boutiques.
3 Castello Sforzesco
Il Castello Sforzesco is located in the center of Milan and represents one of the mete essential in the list "Milan what to see”. The Castello Sforzesco is one of the main symbols of Milan and its history. It was built in the XNUMXth century by Francesco Sforza, who had recently become Duke of Milan, on the remains of a previous fortification dating back to the XNUMXth century known as Castrum Porte Jovis (Castle of Porta Giovia or Zobia), and over the centuries it has undergone notable transformations. Between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries it was one of the main military citadels in Europe; restored in historicist style by Luca Beltrami between 1890 and 1905, it is now home to important cultural institutions and a tourist destination. It is one of the largest castles in Europe. Inside you will find museums and works of art: the Sforzesco Castle is the ideal place to spend a few hours away from the chaos of the city, without having to leave the city center. We recommend visit with audio guide.
4 Teatro alla Scala
Il Teatro alla Scala, also known only as “La Scala”, is the first theater in Milan. Located near the Vittorio Emanuele II gallery, it was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 with the staging of the opera "Europe recognized”, by Antonio Salieri. An artistic and cultural point of reference not only in Italy but throughout the world. A museum is set up inside the theater. Possibility of guided tour of the Teatro alla Scala and the adjoining Museum.
5 Brera and Art Gallery
Brera it's the artists' quarter and definitely brings to mind the vibe of Paris. Painting enthusiasts will be able to immerse themselves in the works of Italian and foreign artists during their visit to the Pinacoteca di Brera, key point of the list “Things to do in Milan".
6 Gallery of modern art in Milan
La Modern art gallery of Milan is located in the space of Villa Reale; inside you can find works of art dating back to the 800th century.
7 Last Supper
Il Last Supper è heritage ofUnesco and it is one of the absolute masterpieces in the history of art. Being able to observe “Last dinner"of Leonardo da Vinci it will prove to be a truly unforgettable experience.
8 Ambrosiana Art Gallery, Milan
The big Lombard library founded by the cardinal Frederick Borromeo it was one of the first that was opened to public reading thanks to the gesture of an illustrious patron (1609). It was conceived by the founder as a center of study and culture: he in fact wanted other institutions such as the College of Doctors,Academy of Fine Arts , picture gallery. The first president was the painter Giovan Battista Crespi ditto the Cerano. The new institution, at the beginning, had a flourishing life: illustrious architects, painters and sculptors joined it, such as Biffi, Mangone, Procaccini, morazzone, Daniele Crespi, Fog; but later it declined, until, in 1776, it ceased to exist. Piazza Pio XI, 2 20123 Milan.
9 San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
La San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore and its annex Archaeological Museum it is located on Corso Magenta, at number 13, not far from the Duomo. For about ten centuries, until the end of the 1700s, it represented the church of the most important female monastery in Milan, also very important for its fresco cycles, so much so that it earned the title of "Sistine Chapel in Milan“. Inside it is possible to admire XNUMXth century works of Bernardino Luini and his sons Aurelio, Evangelista and Giovan Pietro, of Boltraffio and Simone Peterzano. The complex was built in a very important area of the city since Roman times, close to the surrounding walls and the circus area, not far from the imperial palace. The Church of San Maurizio consists of a rectangular nave, divided by a partition into two distinct rooms, intended respectively for the faithful and the cloistered nuns. In the cloister, now used as the headquarters of the Archaeological Museum, it is possible to see two Roman towers, preserved intact up to the roof, a square one from which the horse races in the circus started (the memory of which remains in the current Via Circo) and the other, polygonal with twenty-four sides, belonging to the circle of walls, both from the end of the 10.00rd - beginning of the 11.00th century AD. The two towers were saved from destruction as they were incorporated into the monastery. The church is open from Tuesday to Sunday; the entry times for groups are established and correspond to the following: 12.00 am; 14.15; 15.15; 16.15pm; 60pm; XNUMXpm for a maximum of XNUMX minutes.
10 Capuchin Museum of Milan
Il Capuchin Museum of Milan presents works of art (many still unpublished) coming both from the Order's archive and from some of the numerous fraternities located in Lombardia. The Museum presents the thought and activity of the Capuchins, the cultural and religious context in which they operated, inserted in broad paths of the tradition and history of Milan. These are just some of the main monuments that we recommend you visit in Milan if you only have one day available. If your stay is longer, however, we suggest you add other places to your tour and include them in your list: “Milan what to visit".
11 Museums in Milan not to be missed: 23 selected proposals
The city of Milan offers a considerable number of art exhibitions and the museums where you can admire the masterpieces of today and yesterday are equally widespread. There are museums in Milan, moreover, which collect bizarre and not very widespread collections. Here you are 23 proposals:
- Musical instrument museums;
- Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology;
- San Siro Museum;
- Municipal photographic archive;
- Aquarium and Civic Hydrobiological Station;
- Current Movement Foundation;
- Museo del Novecento;
- Drawing Cabinet;
- Braidense National Library;
- Archaeological Museum;
- Civic Museum of Natural History;
- Galleries of Italy;
- Boschi Di Stefano house museum;
- “G. Collection Lorenzo";
- Collection of Achille Bertarelli prints;
- Martinitt and Stelline Museum;
- Villa Necchi Campiglio;
- Regional Museum of Psychiatry;
- Zucchi collection museum;
- Morando Palace;
- Palazzo Arese-Litta;
- Museum of the Risorgimento;
- Studio Francesco Messina Museum.
12 The Navigli of Milan
I Navigli they represent one of the most intimate and romantic areas of Milan. You can spend an evening with friends or enjoy a walk as a couple, among shops and clubs, surrounded by a magical and bohemian atmosphere. Navigli Milan, how to get there: You can easily reach the Navigli thanks to the green metro. If you are in the Duomo area, we recommend a walk of about 30 minutes following the dock: you won't regret it!
Milan: see also
13 Astronomical Museum and Botanical Garden of Brera
The Astronomical Museum-Botanical Garden of Brera is testimony to the work of safeguarding and valorising the historical, scientific and cultural heritage undertaken by the University of Milan in Palazzo Brera. For over twenty years the structure has offered specific activities aimed at schools and citizens: guided tours, multimedia conferences, observation evenings, botanical painting and astronomy workshops. Astronomical Museum opening hours, from Monday to Friday ((non-holidays) 9.00 -16.30. Botanical Garden opening hours (not holidays): from 1 September to 31 October Mon – Fri 9.00 – 12.00 and 14.00 -17.00 – Sat. 10.00-17.00; from 1 November to 31 January Mon – Fri 9.00 – 12.30 – Sat. 10.00-16.00; from 1 February to 30 June Mon – Fri 9.00 – 12.00 and 14.00 -17.00 – Sat. 10.00-17.00; from 1 July to 31 August Mon – Fri 9.00 – 12.00 and 14.00 -16.00 – Sat. 10.00-16.00. Via Brera, 28.
14 Botanical museum herbarium
In 1982, the institute of Botanical Sciences of the University of Milan is incorporated into the Department of Biology, where the Botanical Museum. The rich botanical collection housed there includes ancient herbaria from university or personal collections of scientists who, from 1871 to the present day, have contributed to enriching the original core of the collection. The Museum collaborates with the Civic Museum of Natural History of Brescia, Civic Museum of Natural History ed Bergamo Botanical Garden.
15 Diocesan Museum of Milan
Il Diocesan Museumor rises in the frame of the cloisters of Sant'Eustorgio, an integral part of one of the oldest monumental complexes in Milan, made up of the unitary ensemble of the basilica and the Dominican convent, which flourished over the centuries in an area significant for the history of Milanese Christianity. On the Piazza Sant'Eustorgio the legendary source in which can still be found today Saint Barnabas around the middle of the XNUMXst century he baptized the first Milanese, giving rise to the local church. The basilica is also linked to the legend of the relics of the Magi, which arrived from the East with the Bishop Eustorgius, and to the cult of Saint Peter Martyr, the Dominican who lived in the convent around the middle of the XNUMXth century, an anti-Cathar preacher and fierce inquisitor.
16 Park of the Roman amphitheater and “Alda Levi” Antiquarium, Milan
The Park of the Roman amphitheater e antiquarium it is located in an extensive green space in the heart of Milan. Open since 2004, they show the historical-archaeological richness of an ancient neighborhood Mediolanum developed near the main road Mediolanum-Ticinum. The archaeological park preserves a portion of the foundations of the Roman amphitheater (XNUMXst-XNUMXth century AD), while in the exhibition space significant finds and multimedia installations tell the story of the characteristics of the arena's shows and the evolution of the south-west area of the city from Protohistory to the Late Middle Ages.
17 Interactive Museum of Cinema, Milan
Il Interactive Museum of Cinema (MIC), is a project by Italian Cineteca Foundation and Lombardy Region-Culture. There Film library stands in the area of the former Manifattura Tabacchi, where the offices and management of the Foundation have also been located for some years. Small and precious, high intensity. A small to medium space, through microelectronics, is just the right size for an hour – an hour and a half cognitive, emotional and playful experience on the three themes where the MIC has special things to show. Viale Fulvio Testi, 20162 Milan.
18 Dock of Milan
La Dock of Milan it is the ancient port of Milan. Meeting point between Naviglio Grande and the Naviglio Pavese, today it is the heart of Milanese nightlife and liveliness Milan nightlife. Darsena in Milan, how to get there: you can easily reach the dock on foot, by subway or by bus.
19 Milan fashion district
Il Quadrilateral of fashion it is absolutely the fashion district of Milan. It is the heart of this neighborhood via Montenapoleone. The big names await you for a day of relaxation and shopping in one of the key points on the travel list "Milan what to do".
Milan in pills: how to move, how to get there, where to eat, where to sleep
20 How to get to Milan
Sand you want to reach Milan without using the car, you can opt for the train, arriving at Milan Central Station. Alternatively, you can travel by plane and land at one of the two airports, Milan Malpensa o Milan Linate. Whichever means of transport you decide to use, connections from the station or the two airports are well served thanks to buses and the metro.
21 How to get around Milan
A Milan we advise you to move using the service Milan subway which serves the whole city in a truly efficient manner. Alternatively we recommend using the tram and public land transport.
By taxi they are not exactly cheap, as in many Italian cities. If you want to travel by car, you can also consider using a rental like car sharing.
22 Where to eat in Milan
For a good lunch or a delicious dinner at Milan we advise you to look for a typical restaurant that will allow you to enjoy a traditional saffron risotto with braised veal or a cutlet. Obviously there is no shortage of star chefs and international cuisines, in the restaurants in Milan, for those who want to combine a cultural visit with a high-quality culinary journey.
23 Where to sleep in Milan
Milan, where to sleep: any area is suitable to choose yours hotel in Milan, since with the connections you can easily move throughout the city. You can stay in Brera or on the canals, or opt for a hotel in the center, near the Duomo. If you are instead looking for a neighborhood surrounded by greenery, head towards the Parco Sempione area. Pay attention to the hot periods in Milan, such as the Furniture Fair (in April) or during the Christmas period with the Oh Bej! fair Oh Bej! of Sant'Ambrogio, patron saint of the city (7 December) which in fact anticipates the long weekend of the Immaculate Conception.
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